Teton Pass held its third annual Jack'n'Jill Randonee Race last weekend. The race involves climbing uphill and skiing down.

TETON PASS SKI RESORT – A select group of ski racers are as interested in climbing up hill as they are in skiing down.

Randonee races challenges skiers to climb up a slope using using their own power and then ski down a set course. The winner is the person who completes the course in the least amount of time. Randonee races are gaining popularity across the country, and races with long climbs are especially popular.

The promise of 5,000 feet of climbing attracted some serious racers to Teton Pass Ski Resort last weekend for its Jack'n'Jill Randonee Race.

Ben Parsons was the first place men's finisher at Saturday's race. He was one of four or five sponsored athletes who competed.

The Jack'n'Jill race, now in its third year, added a longer course this year, in response to requests from competitors in past years, said Maggie Carr, events coordinator at Teton Pass. This year's longer race attracted a different caliber of skier.

"This year, we have way more professionals," Carr said..

Parsons started doing randonee races about eight years ago after a buddy talked him into trying one.

"I got hooked as soon as I started traveling with him and racing," Parsons said.

Now Parsons competes in about eight randonee races per year, traveling to Wyoming, Canada and elsewhere. This year, he's raced almost every weekend this winter, following the United States Ski Mountaineering Association's circuit.

"There's a whole calendar," Parsons said.

Teton's race isn't part of the circuit, but for Parsons, who lives in Kalispell, the race was an excuse to visit Teton Pass.

"You've got the funnest atmosphere here," he said.

Racers take off from the starting line Saturday at the No Name Scramble at Teton Pass Ski Resort. The No Name Scramble was the shortest of three randonee races held at the ski area.(Photo: TRIBUNE PHOTO/ERIN MADISON)

In his nearly decade of randonee racing, Parsons has seen the sport grow in popularity.

"There are more races popping up and more people racing," he said.

This year, there are about 100 races for randonee skiers.

In past years, the Jack'n'Jill Race has taken competitors from the ski area's base to the false Mount Lockart Summit, about 2,300 feet of elevation gain. This year, racers had the option of following that same course in the "recreation" division, or could opt for a longer course with 5,000 feet of elevation gain in the "pro" division.

The climbs at Teton also included boot-pack sections, where racers removed their skis and climbed in their boots.

That's also typical for a randonee race.

Some races even have technical climbing sections that require ropes and harnesses, Perkins said.

Teton added the longer course this year, to make the race more attractive to serious randonee racers.

"It was partially due to feedback from racers last year," Carr said. "They wanted more of a challenge."

The extra-long course, worked to attract more races. The Jack'n'Jill Race had it's best turnout this year.

The pro course attracted 28 racers, but racers looking for less of a challenge had the option of the recreation course, or an even shorter No-Name Scramble that included 900 feet of climbing. Twenty racers competed in each of those races.

Saturday was Julie Davis' first time in a randonee race. She competed in the recreation course, which included 2,300 feet of climbing.

"I had just gotten into touring this year," said Davis of Great Falls.

Davis wasn't there to win.

"I hadn't gotten out much this year and I knew I would not be competitive," she said.

The race fell on a beautiful, sunny blue-bird day, and the views from the top of the mountain made the climb worth it.

Amber Steed of Kalispell competed in the pro division. She had done the race in previous years and keeps coming back because it's a great course and a great atmosphere.

"It usually attracts a fun group of people," she said.

Teton's scenery doesn't hurt either.

"It's so beautiful at the top," she said. "I just wanted to sit up there all day and take pictures."

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Racers take off from the starting line at the No Name Scramble at Teton Pass Ski Resort on Saturday. The No Name Scramble was the shortest of three randonee races held at the ski area.(Photo: TRIBUNE PHOTO/ERIN MADISON)

Racers take off from the starting line Saturday at the No Name Scramble at Teton Pass Ski Resort. The No Name Scramble was the shortest of three randonee races held at the ski area.(Photo: TRIBUNE PHOTO/ERIN MADISON)

Racers take off from the starting line Saturday at the No Name Scramble at Teton Pass Ski Resort. The No Name Scramble was the shortest of three randonee races held at the ski area.(Photo: TRIBUNE PHOTO/ERIN MADISON)